長崎大学 多文化社会学部 / School of Global Humanities and Social Sciences, Nagasaki University

Citation:

多文化社会研究, 6, pp.469-502; 2020

Abstract:

Human Capital Development (HCD) is arguably the most effective instrument for eradicating poverty. However, for HCD to be meaningful, it needs to improve not only subject knowledge but also skills, social values and work ethics. The rapid economic success of Japan after World War II lies in this unique way of developing human capital. The Japanese Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) was established in1993aiming at such HCD in developing countries, while addressing the labor needs in Japan. The main objective of this paper is to examine the role of TITP with particular attention to Vietnamese returnees trained at the Iida Hosiery Company in Saga, Japan. Data was collected through field surveys in Vietnam from 42 returnees, and Iida Hosiery Company in Saga in 2017 and literature survey.
We found that all of the returnees were young women who lived in rural areas of Vietnam. Their main aim of seeking employment in Japan was to earn money and help their families, not learn technology from Japan. In spite of their conflicting personal objectives, TITP has contributed substantially to improve human capital of these trainees that has helped them to escape poverty. Savings of the trainees averaging 2.5 million Yen in three years and improved social values and work ethics were the most valuable contributions. After returning home, more than half of the trainees were able to establish their own businesses. Income levels, living conditions, social status, and job opportunities of more than 75 percent of the returnees have improved substantially. Besides, TITP has helped Iida Company to reduce costs and overcome its labor shortage problem. To increase the benefits of the TITP further, the time-consuming bureaucratic processes with strict rules and regulations and the involvement of a number of middlemen need to be addressed. In summary, Iida Company through TITP has made a remarkable contribution to alleviate poverty among returnees in Vietnam while addressing its own labor shortage problem.